Allana Lim was honored as the first-ever professional Women’s National Basketball League-Pilipinas Most Valuable Player, Sunday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The 33-year-old Lim, who stands at 5-foot-10 and plays for Paranaque, was bestowed by the league’s highest individual award after a voting between players, members of the media, and the league’s office.
And it was a well-deserved plum for the Far Eastern University product.
Lim averaged 16.5 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, steering the Lady Aces to an elimination round sweep.
“Speechless ako,” said Lim, trying to fight back tears as she no longer has to play overseas to play professional basketball. “Unang-una, nagpapasalamat sa buong WNBL dahil nabigyan tayong mga Pinay ballers ng sariling liga natin. For the past decade na naglalaro ako sa ibang bansa, iba pa rin yung dito ka sa bansa mo naglalaro.
“Maraming salamat sa opportunity na binigay niyo sa amin at hindi magiging successful ito kung wala kayo. At sa lahat ng Pinay ballers natin, maraming salamat sa inyo. Nawa’y sana magtuloy-tuloy ang liga natin,” she expressed.
Despite having Glutagence’s campaign forfeited due to its delinquent owner Justin Tan, Raiza Palmera-Dy was hailed as the league’s Rookie of the Year.
The league still crowned a Rookie of the Year since all of its players are still considered rookies since this is the WNBL’s first season as a professional league.
Palmera-Dy normed a league-leading 18.7 points with 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest.
“Like Allana said, nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng bumubuo sa ligang ito,” said the 31-year-old Palmera-Dy, who is also a product of FEU.
Lim and Palmera-Dy headline the league’s Mythical Five team.
Also composing the All-WNBL team are Quezon’s Kat Araja (6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists/game), Taguig’s Janeth Sison (8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 assists), and Paranaque’s Jhenn Angeles (5.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds)
Quezon’s Chicky Faraon was voted as the Defensive Player of the Season. She normed 5.9 defensive rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Finally, Taguig’s Karla Manuel garnered 39.52-percent of the votes to win the Sportsmanship Award.
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